The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) announced on Tuesday that its board has named Kirk Tanner as president and chief executive officer, with his appointment effective August 18, 2025. Tanner will take over from Michele Buck, who revealed earlier this year her plans to retire.
Currently, Tanner serves as president and CEO of The Wendy’s Company. He brings over 30 years of experience from PepsiCo, where he was CEO of PepsiCo Beverages North America, managing a $28 billion portfolio including brands like Pepsi, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Pure Leaf, and bubly. His tenure at PepsiCo also included roles such as president of PepsiCo Global Foodservice and senior vice president of Frito-Lay North America’s West Division.
At Wendy’s, Tanner has driven a strategy centered on growing the core brand, fostering innovation, enhancing operational performance, and speeding up new unit expansion globally, according to Hershey’s statement.
“Kirk is a proven, high-impact leader in the food and beverage industry with a great combination of customer and consumer passion, commercial acumen and operational scale,” said Mary Kay Haben, lead independent director and chair of the CEO search committee.
Buck will assist Tanner during the transition in a senior advisory role. She has served as CEO since 2017 and has led Hershey’s evolution into what the company calls a “Leading Snacking Powerhouse.”
Hershey reports annual revenues exceeding $11.2 billion and operates in around 70 countries with a workforce of more than 20,000 employees. Its product range includes iconic chocolate and candy brands like Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Kit Kat, and Jolly Rancher, as well as salty snacks such as SkinnyPop and Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels.